The benefits of an undefiled environment are many; for instance, a healthy tree purifies the air and supplies oxygen for living beings to breathe. It harmonises the elements and increases life expectancy. Its shade provides a refreshing place to rest. It brings rain at the right time. It nourishes crops and livestock, and balances the temperature. It contributes to an attractive landscape and keeps replenishing its surroundings. It brings natural development in education, economics and so forth.The drawbacks of a polluted environment include a decline in the pure, cool qualities of the oceans and lakes, leading to the creatures dwelling in those places being disturbed. The loss of vegetation and forests causes degeneration in the earth’s nourishment. Rain does not fall when it is needed, and unprecedented fierce storms rage.
From the Dharma point of view, our teacher, the king of Shakya, was also born at the foot of a tree. He attained enlightenment under a tree, and finally passed away under a tree. Particularly in the Vinaya of the holy Dharma, fully ordained monks are taught how to nurture trees and so on. From that, we can understand that planting and nurturing trees are virtuous acts. Moreover, the wisdom deities of the non-mundane worlds, as well as various local devas, nagas and spirits, inhabit trees. That also leads us to understand that trees are important.
June 5 was World Environment Day
